New drug analyser to save time and money

Customs
Minister Nicky Wagner says the introduction of a new state
of the art drug analyser will free up hundreds of hours a
year for more enforcement work at the border.

The
handheld device, a Thermo Scientific FirstDefender RM,
shoots a laser beam into an unknown substance, accurately
identifying it in a matter of seconds. Customs purchased it
with money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery)
Act.

“The device will drastically reduce the
number of substances that have to be sent away for expensive
testing, with savings expected to pay for it in less than
six months.

“Its effectiveness will allow Customs
officers to spend at least 520 more hours each year on
frontline border work because they can make decisions
quickly on what investigative action, if any, is
required.

Prime Minister John Key allocated $335,000
to Customs in the first proceeds of crime funding round to
enhance frontline screening at the border. In addition to
the drug analyser, Customs is building a laboratory in
Auckland to test unidentified chemical samples.

“The enhanced capability will help to achieve outcomes
sought in the government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan and
allow Customs to identify an increasing number of new
psychoactive substances stopped at the border,” Ms Wagner
says.

More than 11,000 substances can be identified
almost instantly by the FirstDefender analyser. It can
penetrate through certain types of packaging, so opening a
packet or bottle may not be necessary, which also means a
safer working environment for
officers.

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